Video exhibits safety guard who ‘cherished the police’ pointing rifle throughout pursuit

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Physique digicam footage launched Friday exhibits the moments 4 Houston law enforcement officials opened hearth on a longtime safety guard who they are saying had pointed a rifle at them.

The video exhibits Walter Howard, 54, pointing a rifle out of the window of his SUV as he is pursued by police on Could 7 in southwest Houston.

The taking pictures occurred a short while in a while Buxley Road, after police say Howard turned the rifle on them.

“My brother wouldn’t do this. Anyone (who) is aware of him will inform you he cherished the police,” Howard’s sister, Patricia Youngwood, informed Eyewitness Information days later.

HPD stated undercover officers initially turned suspicious after Howard approached them carrying tactical gear whereas holding what seemed to be a rifle case.

Police say the undercover officers known as uniformed officers to provoke a visitors cease, which is captured on the physique digicam video launched Friday.

“You do not have a entrance plate in your automobile,” an officer might be heard telling Howard.

Howard ignores officers’ instructions to roll down all of his home windows after which drives off.

Officers try a PIT maneuver. Howard is then seen pointing a rifle out of the driving force’s facet window, prompting police to aim a second PIT maneuver.

After Howard turns down Buxley, police say he pointed a rifle out of his window once more and aimed it at officers. The video the police launched would not present this, however you possibly can hear officers opening hearth.

“The rifle is identified the window. Watch out,” you possibly can hear officers saying shortly earlier than the gunfire.

Howard was hit within the shoulder and livestreamed a number of the aftermath from his automobile, telling his family members to name an ambulance and, “Be certain that y’all inform Channel 13.”

Howard is going through 4 counts of aggravated assault on a public servant and one depend of evading.

Previous to the taking pictures, data present he had no felony historical past within the state of Texas.

For information updates, observe Luke Jones on Fb, X and Instagram.